Evaluation of Signage Alternatives for Express Lane Facilities · The provisions of regulatory...

Evaluation of Signage Alternatives for Express Lane Facilities

Contract # DTRT12GUTC12 with USDOT Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R)

Final Report

January 2017

Principal Investigator: Albert Gan, Ph.D.

National Center for Transportation Systems Productivity and Management O. Lamar Allen Sustainable Education Building 788 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0355 P: 404-894-2236 F: 404-894-2278 [email protected] nctspm.gatech.edu

DISCLAIMER

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the facts and the

accuracy of the information presented herein. This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of

the U.S. Department of Transportation’s University Transportation Centers Program, in the interest of

information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for the contents or use thereof.

iii

METRIC CONVERSION TABLE

U.S. CUSTOMARY UNITS TO SI* (MODERN METRIC) UNITS

LENGTH

SYMBOL WHEN YOU KNOW MULTIPLY BY TO FIND SYMBOL

in inches 25.400 millimeters mm

ft feet 0.305 meters m

yd yards 0.914 meters m

mi miles 1.610 kilometers km

mm millimeters 0.039 inches in

m meters 3.280 feet ft

m meters 1.090 yards yd

km kilometers 0.621 miles mi

AREA


in2 square inches 645.200 square millimeters mm2

ft2 square feet 0.093 square meters m2

yd2 square yards 0.836 square meters m2

ac acres 0.405 hectares ha

mi2 square miles 2.590 square kilometers km2

mm2 square millimeters 0.0016 square inches in2

m2 square meters 10.764 square feet ft2

m2 square meters 1.195 square yards yd2

ha hectares 2.470 acres ac

km2 square kilometers 0.386 square miles mi2

VOLUME


fl oz fluid ounces 29.570 milliliters mL

gal gallons 3.785 liters L

ft3 cubic feet 0.028 cubic meters m3

yd3 cubic yards 0.765 cubic meters m3

mL milliliters 0.034 fluid ounces fl oz

L liters 0.264 gallons gal

m3 cubic meters 35.314 cubic feet ft3

m3 cubic meters 1.307 cubic yards yd3

NOTE: volumes greater than 1,000 L shall be shown in m3.

*SI is the symbol for the International System of Units. Appropriate rounding should be made to comply

with Section 4 of ASTM E380.

iv

Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient′s Catalog No.

4. Title and Subtitle

Evaluation of Signage Alternatives for Express Lane Facilities

5. Report Date

January 2017 6. Performing Organization Code

7. Author(s)

Priyanka Alluri, Albert Gan, Dibakar Saha, Luis Fernandez, and Eazaz Sadeghvaziri 8. Performing Organization Report No.

9. Performing Organization Name and Address

Lehman Center for Transportation Research

Florida International University

10555 West Flagler Street, EC 3680, Miami, FL 33174

10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS)

11. Contract or Grant No.

12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address

The National Center for Transportation Systems Productivity and Management

(NCTSPM)

Lamar Allen Sustainable Education Building

788 Atlantic Drive, Atlanta, GA 30332-0355

13. Type of Report and Period Covered

Final Report

January 2014 – January 2017 14. Sponsoring Agency Code

15. Supplementary Notes

16. Abstract

Express lanes are usually tolled freeway lanes that are separated from general-purpose lanes to provide a higher level

of mobility. Guide signs upstream of express lanes are especially crucial as drivers have to read these signs and then

comprehend and react to them accordingly while traveling at high speeds. This report presents a focus group study to

obtain drivers’ feedback on different express lane sign design alternatives, with a special focus on signs near the entrance

of express lane facilities. It also includes a review of the current standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control

Devices (MUTCD) for express lane signs and the use of signs on existing express lane facilities from across the country.

The provisions of regulatory signs, guide signs, and tolling agency’s pictograph on express lanes are provided in

Chapter 2E: Toll Road Signs and Chapter 2G: Preferential and Managed Lane Signs of the MUTCD. However, many

existing express lane signs have not been updated to meet the current MUTCD standards for express lane signs. The

existing express lane signs were found to vary not only in the types of information they display, but also in color, size,

layout, and number of sign panels used. The signs were found to generally display information on toll amounts and

accessibility status, and none were found to display comparative travel times on express lanes vs. general-purpose lanes.

A focus group study involving 49 participants was conducted to assess drivers’ understandings, preferences, and opinions

toward the guide signs at the entrance of express lanes. Sign design alternatives as they relate to the following categories

were evaluated: (1) sign legend preference for toll-exempt vehicles in Florida; (2) display of travel time; (3) display of

average speed in lieu of travel time; (4) preference for travel time vs. average speed; (5) display of comparative travel

times on express lanes vs. general-purpose lanes; (6) preference of comparative travel times vs. comparative average

speeds; (7) display of comparative travel times and toll amounts on express lanes and general-purpose lanes; and (8)

interpretation of high toll amount on express lanes signs.

Additional real-time information on travel time and average speed on express lanes and general-purpose lanes were

found to help drivers decide if they want to use express lanes. However, focus group participants found both travel

time and speed information to be ambiguous. It is recommended to educate drivers about these measures so that drivers

correctly interpret this information. Although this additional information is useful to drivers, care needs to be taken to

not overload drivers with too much information. It is imperative to consider the other existing signs and the fact that

drivers need to comprehend this information while driving at high speeds.

17. Key Word

Express Lanes, Focus Group Study, Guide Signs, Information Display,

Travel Time, Average Speed, Congestion Pricing.

18. Distribution Statement

No restrictions.

19. Security Classif. (of this report)

Unclassified 20. Security Classif. (of this page)

Unclassified 21. No. of Pages

85 22. Price

Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized

v

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This research was funded by the National Center for Transportation Systems Productivity and

Management (NCTSPM) University Transportation Center (UTC). The authors thank Mr. Carlton

Ng, Mr. Md Asif Raihan, and Ms. Maria Fernandez, students at Florida International University

(FIU), for their assistance in conducting the focus group meetings. The contribution from the 49

focus group study participants is gratefully acknowledged.

vi

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Express lanes are usually tolled freeway lanes that are separated from general-purpose lanes to

provide a higher level of mobility for vehicles using the facilities (Collier and Goodin, 2004).

Depending on its pricing scheme, an express lane facility can require significantly more

information to be communicated to drivers than other traditional lane management strategies, such

as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Guide signs in advance of express lanes are crucial as

drivers have to read these signs and then comprehend and react to them accordingly while traveling

at high speeds. As such, the objective of this research was to determine the optimal amount and

type of information to display and the manner in which the information is communicated to drivers.

A focus group study was conducted to assess drivers’ understandings, preferences, and opinions

toward the guide signs upstream of express lanes. A total of five focus groups involving 49

participants of different age, gender, and ethnic groups were conducted. The following eight

potential sign designs and alternatives were evaluated:

1. Sign legend preference for toll-exempt vehicles in Florida

2. Display of travel time

3. Display of average speed in lieu of travel time

4. Preferences for travel time vs. average speed

5. Display of comparative travel times on express lanes vs. general-purpose lanes

6. Preference for comparative travel times vs. comparative average speeds

7. Display of comparative travel times and toll amounts on express lanes and general-purpose

lanes

8. Interpretation of high toll amount on express lanes sign

The focus group participants were shown the sign alternatives using PowerPoint slides. The slides

primarily included the proposed signs and their alternatives, typical layouts, and digitally edited

photographs. For each scenario, a set of questions was asked to capture the participants’

understanding of the signs. Some of the key observations are discussed below.

Sign Legend Preference

Express lanes are usually open to all drivers who choose to pay a toll to use the facility. However,

a few vehicles qualify to ride for free on almost all express lane facilities. For example,

motorcycles and registered buses and car pools can use express lanes for free on 95 Express in

Miami-Dade County, Florida. Since toll-exempt vehicles vary by jurisdiction, displaying this

information is helpful for drivers. Two sign alternatives, one displaying toll-exempt vehicles using

words alone, and the other displaying the same information using words and symbols, were

provided to the participants. A slight majority (51%) of the participants preferred to have the

information on toll-exempt vehicles in both symbols and words. However, these results could be

biased toward the alternative that uses only words to display toll-exempt vehicles since this sign

is currently used on 95 Express in Miami-Dade County and participants are familiar with it.

vii

Measures of Traffic Conditions on Express Lane Facility

Travel time and average speed are good measures of traffic conditions on a facility. However,

since these are rarely displayed on the signs, several participants misinterpreted this information.

It is therefore recommended to educate drivers about these measures so that confusion and

misinterpretation are minimized.

Since providing both travel time and average speed information on a sign results in information

overload, it is recommended to provide either one of the two performance measures. Participants

who preferred average speed argued that average speed has a fixed range that is independent of

distance. It should be clear to all drivers that a low average speed on an express lane facility implies

that the facility is congested, while a high average speed implies otherwise. On the other hand,

participants who preferred travel time information argued that this information will explicitly tell

them how much time it takes to reach the destination. However, travel time information might not

be useful for tourists and unfamiliar drivers as they might not know the actual travel time/distance

to the destination, and hence, cannot predict congestion.

Measures of Traffic Conditions on Express Lanes and General-purpose Lanes

The existing signs on express lanes provide the toll amount for using express lanes. However, in

addition to the toll amount, drivers may need information such as travel times along express lanes

and adjacent general-purpose lanes to better assess the benefit of paying extra to use the express

lanes. When the traffic conditions (i.e., travel time or average speed) on both express lanes and

general-purpose lanes are provided on a single sign, a majority of the participants stated that

comparative travel time information (and not comparative average speed information) helped them

decide whether or not to use the express lanes.

Almost all the participants considered the sign displaying comparative travel times on express

lanes and general-purpose lanes and the toll amount on the express lanes to be useful. However,

over half of the participants noted that the sign has too much information and preferred to display

this information (i.e., comparative travel times and toll amount) on two separate signs.

Nonetheless, a few participants preferred to see the same sign with all the information multiple

times, instead of two separate signs.

Interpretation of High Toll Amount on Express Lanes

Express lanes provide a higher level of mobility and reliability by maintaining a certain level of

traffic flow. Traffic volumes on express lanes are usually maintained by adjusting the toll amount.

When the facility is congested, drivers are charged a high toll amount to discourage more drivers

from entering the facility. Over 75% (38) of the focus group participants misinterpreted the high

toll amount on the express lanes, and thought that it indicated the local (i.e., general-purpose) lanes

are congested, and hence, there is a high demand for the express lanes.

Congestion on express lanes could be better assessed if information such as comparative travel

times on the express lanes and the general-purpose lanes are provided in addition to the toll

amount. However, 26.5% (13) of the participants misinterpreted the high toll amount on express

lanes even when comparative travel times were provided. Drivers, therefore, need to be educated

to minimize confusion and misinterpretation.

viii

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DISCLAIMER .............................................................................................................................................. ii

METRIC CONVERSION TABLE .............................................................................................................. iii

TECHNICAL REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE ............................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... v

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................................... vi

LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... x

LIST OF TABLES ....................................................................................................................................... xi

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS ............................................................................................. xii

CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Project Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.3 Report Organization ............................................................................................................................ 2

CHAPTER 2 EXISTING PRACTICES ...................................................................................................... 3 2.1 MUTCD Standards for Express Lane Signs ........................................................................................ 3

2.1.1 Regulatory Signs ....................................................................................................................... 3 2.1.2 Guide Signs ............................................................................................................................... 3 2.1.3 Tolling Agency’s Pictograph .................................................................................................... 4

2.2 Express Lane Signs in Different States ............................................................................................... 5 2.2.1 California .................................................................................................................................. 6 2.2.2 Colorado .................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.3 Florida ..................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.4 Georgia .................................................................................................................................... 11 2.2.5 Maryland ................................................................................................................................. 12 2.2.6 Minnesota ................................................................................................................................ 13 2.2.7 Texas ....................................................................................................................................... 14 2.2.8 Utah ......................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.9 Virginia ................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2.10 Washington ........................................................................................................................... 18

2.3 Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 20

CHAPTER 3 FOCUS GROUP STUDY ................................................................................................... 21 3.1 Institutional Review Board Approval ................................................................................................ 21 3.2 Participant Recruitment ..................................................................................................................... 21 3.3 Study Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 21

CHAPTER 4 FOCUS GROUP STUDY RESULTS................................................................................. 25 4.1 Sign Legend Preference for Toll-exempt Vehicles in Florida ........................................................... 25 4.2 Display of Travel Time ...................................................................................................................... 27 4.3 Display of Average Speed in Lieu of Travel Time ............................................................................ 30 4.4 Preferences for Travel Time vs. Average Speed ............................................................................... 33

ix

4.5 Display of Comparative Travel Times on Express Lanes vs. General-purpose Lanes ...................... 35 4.6 Preference for Comparative Travel Times vs. Comparative Average Speeds ................................... 37 4.7 Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount .................................................................................... 38

4.7.1 Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount Displayed on One or Two Signs ..................... 39 4.7.2 Order of Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount Information Displayed on Two

Signs ...................................................................................................................................... 40 4.7.3 Sign Legend Preference for General-purpose Lanes ............................................................... 42

4.8 Interpretation of High Toll Amount on Express Lanes Sign ............................................................. 44 4.9 Summary ............................................................................................................................................ 46

CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ................................................................................. 47 5.1 Existing Standards and Practice ........................................................................................................ 47 5.2 Focus Group Study ............................................................................................................................ 48

5.2.1 Sign Legend Preference .......................................................................................................... 48 5.2.2 Measures of Traffic Conditions on Express Lane Facility ...................................................... 48 5.2.3 Measures of Traffic Conditions on Express Lanes and General-purpose Lanes..................... 49 5.2.4 Interpretation of High Toll Amount on Express Lanes ........................................................... 49

5.3 Conclusions ....................................................................................................................................... 49

REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................... 51

APPENDIX A: PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET AND STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE .............. 53

APPENDIX B: POWERPOINT PRESENTATION SLIDES FOR THE FOCUS GROUP STUDY ........ 60

x

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 2-1: Regulatory Signs for Express Lanes .......................................................................................... 4 Figure 2-2: Examples of Guide Signs before Entrances to Priced Managed Lanes ..................................... 5 Figure 2-3: Example of a Comparative Travel Time Information Sign for Preferential or Managed

Lanes ..................................................................................................................................................... 5 Figure 2-4: Signs Displaying Toll Amount and Vehicle Eligibility on I-680 Express Lanes ....................... 7 Figure 2-5: Separate Sign Displaying Toll Amount on SR 91 Express Lanes ............................................. 8 Figure 2-6: Sign Displaying Travel Time and Toll Amount on I-15 Express Lanes .................................... 8 Figure 2-7: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on SR 237 Express Lanes .......................................................... 9 Figure 2-8: Dynamic Message Sign Upstream of I-25 Express Lanes ....................................................... 10 Figure 2-9: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on 95 Express Lanes ................................................................ 11 Figure 2-10: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on I-595 Express Lanes ......................................................... 11 Figure 2-11: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on I-85 Express Lanes ........................................................... 12 Figure 2-12: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on I-95 Express Lanes in Maryland ....................................... 13 Figure 2-13: Sign Displaying Toll Amount to Two Destinations on I-35W Express Lanes ...................... 14 Figure 2-14: Sign Displaying Toll Amount to Two Destinations on I-394 Express Lanes ........................ 14 Figure 2-15: Sign Displaying Toll Amounts to Three Destinations on I-10 Katy Tollway ........................ 15 Figure 2-16: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on I-15 Express Lanes ........................................................... 16 Figure 2-17: Express Lanes Signs on 495 Express Lanes........................................................................... 17 Figure 2-18: Express Lanes Signs on 95 Express Lanes............................................................................. 18 Figure 2-19: Express Lane Sign on SR 167 HOT Lanes ............................................................................ 19 Figure 2-20: Express Lane Sign on the I-405 Express Toll Lanes ............................................................. 19 Figure 3-1: Focus Group Participant Application Form ............................................................................. 22 Figure 4-1: Sign Alternatives Displaying Toll-exempt Vehicles ................................................................ 25 Figure 4-2: Sign Alternatives for Displaying Travel Time Information ..................................................... 27 Figure 4-3: Travel Time and Toll Amount Information to Multiple Destinations ...................................... 29 Figure 4-4: Average Speed Information on Express Lanes Signs .............................................................. 31 Figure 4-5: Participants’ Interpretations of Average Speed Information on Signs ..................................... 31 Figure 4-6: Sign Alternatives Displaying Average Speed Information ...................................................... 32 Figure 4-7: Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Time and Average Speed............................................... 34 Figure 4-8: Comparative Travel Times on Express Lanes Sign ................................................................. 36 Figure 4-9: Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Times and Average Travel Speeds on Express Lanes

and General-purpose Lanes ................................................................................................................. 37 Figure 4-10: Comparative Travel Times with Toll Amount ....................................................................... 39 Figure 4-11: Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount Displayed on One or Two Signs .................... 39 Figure 4-12: Sign Alternatives Displaying Different Order of the Information ......................................... 41 Figure 4-13: LOCAL LANES and NO-TOLL LANES Alternatives ......................................................... 43 Figure 4-14: High Toll Amount on the Express Lanes Sign ....................................................................... 45 Figure 4-15: Participants’ Interpretation of a High Toll Amount on Express Lanes Sign .......................... 45 Figure 4-16: High Toll Amount with Additional Comparative Travel Times ............................................ 46

xi

LIST OF TABLES

Table 2-1: Summary of Information Displayed on Express Lane Signs across the United States ............. 20 Table 3-1: Demographic Information of Participants ................................................................................. 23 Table 4-1: Opinions of Participants on Sign Alternatives Displaying Toll-Exempt Vehicles .................... 26 Table 4-2: Interpretations of Time Displayed on the Express Lanes Sign.................................................. 27 Table 4-3: Opinions of Participants on Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Time ................................... 28 Table 4-4: Opinions of Participants on Sign Alternatives Displaying Average Speed ............................... 33 Table 4-5: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Time and Average

Speed ................................................................................................................................................... 35 Table 4-6: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying Comparative Travel Times

on Express Lanes and General-purpose Lanes .................................................................................... 36 Table 4-7: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying Comparative Travel Times

and Average Speeds ............................................................................................................................ 38 Table 4-8: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying Comparative Travel Times

and Toll Amount on One or Two Signs .............................................................................................. 40 Table 4-9: Opinions of Participants about Order of Information Displayed on Two Signs ....................... 42 Table 4-10: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying LOCAL LANES and NO-

TOLL LANES ..................................................................................................................................... 43

xii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS

AFV Alternative Fuel Vehicle

DMS Dynamic Message Sign

ETC Electronic Toll Collection

FHWA Federal Highway Administration

FIU Florida International University

HOT High Occupancy Toll

HOV High Occupancy Vehicle

IRB Institutional Review Board

MINS Minutes

MPH Miles per hour

MUTCD Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices

SR State Route

U.S. United States

1

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background


provide a higher level of mobility for vehicles using the facilities (Collier and Goodin, 2004).

These facilities are becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Since the opening of the

first express lane facility in Orange County, California, in 1995, more than a dozen similar facilities

have been in operation across the nation, and many more are either under construction or being

planned. Depending on its pricing scheme, an express lane facility can require significantly more

information to be communicated to drivers than other traditional lane management strategies, such

as high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes. Typical information communicated to the drivers using

an express lane facility includes:

entry/exit points,

toll amounts,

vehicle and occupancy requirements,

accessibility status (e.g., OPEN or CLOSED), and

operating agencies.

In addition to this information, some agencies may choose to display traffic information such as

travel times to the exit points to help drivers make their decisions on whether or not to use an

express lane facility. Some agencies have further considered displaying comparative travel times

on the express and general-purpose (i.e., free) lanes. All of this information is in addition to

standard directional and informational signage and can quickly become overwhelming, especially

for drivers who are unfamiliar with a facility.

1.2 Project Objectives

The main purpose of this project is to study the understanding and preferences of drivers regarding

the display of guide sign information on express lane facilities. The specific objectives are as

follows:

1. Review the current standards in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)

for express lane signs, and the use of signs on existing express lane facilities from across

the country.

2. Conduct a focus group study on drivers’ understanding of, and preferences for, different

sign design alternatives on express lane facilities, with a special focus on signs near the

entrance of express lane facilities, where signs are the most critical, especially in helping

drivers make their decisions on whether to use the express lanes.

2

1.3 Report Organization

This report is organized as follows. Chapter 2 provides a comprehensive state-of-the-practice

review of existing express lane signs from across the country. Chapter 3 describes the process

adopted to recruit participants for the focus group study, the demographic characteristics of the

study participants, and the focus group study administration. Chapter 4 lists the different sign

designs and discusses the focus group study results. Finally, Chapter 5 summarizes the findings of

this research effort.

3

CHAPTER 2

EXISTING PRACTICES

This chapter provides a comprehensive review of sign designs used on the express lanes currently

in operation across the United States. It first provides a quick summary of the current standards in

the MUTCD for signs on express lanes. It then presents a detailed summary of the existing express

lane signs from across the country.

2.1 MUTCD Standards for Express Lane Signs

The current edition of the MUTCD does not dedicate a chapter to express lanes. However, express

lanes are considered as a type of managed lane strategy and are discussed in Chapter 2E: Toll Road

Signs, and in Chapter 2G: Preferential and Managed Lane Signs (Federal Highway Administration

[FHWA], 2009). The following subsections discuss the provisions of regulatory signs, guide signs,

and tolling agency’s pictograph on express lanes that are provided in the MUTCD.

2.1.1 Regulatory Signs

Figure 2-1 shows several regulatory signs for express lane facilities. These signs are used to display

the following information:

Toll amount

User restriction when vehicles with tollpass or high-occupancy vehicles are only allowed

to use express lanes

Hours of operation

Vehicle occupancy for toll-free use

Beginning and ending of express lanes

The toll amount and HOV occupancy that varies by time of day or day of week are provided in

changeable message panels. When toll amount is displayed, the words EXPRESS LANE with

white legend on green background are placed on the header panel.

2.1.2 Guide Signs

Figure 2-2 shows examples of guide signs to be placed before entrances to priced managed lanes.

Figure 2-3 gives another example of a guide sign that shows comparative travel times between

express lanes and general-purpose lanes. The travel times are displayed in changeable message

panels within the guide sign.

http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part2/part2g.htm#figure2G18

4

Figure 2-1: Regulatory Signs for Express Lanes (Source: FHWA, 2009)

2.1.3 Tolling Agency’s Pictograph

Chapter 2E in the MUTCD suggests using either purple background or purple underlay with the

tolling agency’s pictograph. The following combinations of background and border colors should

be used with the tolling agency’s pictograph on express lane signs:

When the pictograph itself has a purple background, use

o a purple or other non-contrasting (e.g., green) background with a white border, or

o a white or other contrasting background with no border.

When the pictograph itself has a background other than purple, use

o a purple background,

o a purple underlay with a white contrasting border on a non-contrasting background, or

o a purple underlay with no border on a white or other contrasting background.

5

Figure 2-2: Examples of Guide Signs before

Entrances to Priced Managed Lanes

(Source: FHWA, 2009)

Figure 2-3: Example of a Comparative Travel

Time Information Sign for Preferential or

Managed Lanes (Source: FHWA, 2009)

2.2 Express Lane Signs in Different States

As of 2016, express lanes are present in 10 states, including California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia,

Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Washington. The following subsections

summarize the signs that were or are used on express lane facilities in these states. The express

lane signs were observed from Google’s Street View. Accordingly, the signs are current only up

to the time when the pictures in Street View were taken.

6

2.2.1 California

California has the highest number of express lane facilities, constituting over 48 miles in length.

The following are the four express lane facilities that are currently operational in California:

1. I-680 Express Lanes in Alameda County

2. State Route (SR) 91 Express Lanes in Orange County

3. I-15 Express Lanes in San Diego County

4. SR 237 Express Lanes in Santa Clara County

I-680 Express Lanes

The I-680 Express Lanes facility is a 14-mile stretch going southbound on I-680 from SR 84 south

of Pleasanton to SR 237 in Milpitas. Tolls on this facility vary from $0.30 to $7.50, depending on

traffic volumes in the express lanes from Monday to Friday between 5 AM and 8 PM. During other

times, any vehicle can use the facility for free (Alameda County Transportation Commission,

2012). Figure 2-4 shows an example of the signs used on this facility. Both the signs shown in

Figure 2-4 are identical, yet provide different dynamic messages, such as toll amount or “OPEN

TO ALL,” during different times of day. The information “HOV 2+ NO TOLL” indicates that

vehicles with 2 or more persons (HOV2+) can use the facility free of charge during all times.

SR 91 Express Lanes

The SR 91 Express Lanes facility is a four-lane 10-mile toll road extending from the SR 55 and

SR 91 interchange to just west of the SR 91 and SR 71 interchange in Orange and Riverside

counties. Once the toll amount is adjusted for time of day and day of week, it is fixed for six

months during peak hours, and for one year during non-peak hours (Orange County Transportation

Authority [OCTA], n.d.). As shown in Figure 2-5, dynamic toll amounts are provided on a separate

variable message sign.

I-15 Express Lanes

The I-15 Express Lanes facility is a four-lane 20-mile stretch between the I-15 and SR 163 split in

San Diego and SR 78 in Escondido. The express lanes signs used on this facility provide travel

time in addition to toll amount. The toll amount is updated every three minutes depending on traffic

flow. As shown in Figure 2-6, “MINIMUM TOLL” indicates the minimum amount that drivers

have to pay to enter the facility and travel to the next exit (Caltrans, n.d.).

SR 237 Express Lanes

The express lane facility along the SR 237 and I-880 corridor in Santa Clara County is located

between North First Street on SR 237 and just south of Dixon Landing Road on I-880 (Santa Clara

Valley Transportation Authority, n.d.). As shown in Figure 2-7, the signs on this facility display

either the toll amount in the panel next to the destination name or the message “OPEN TO ALL”

in the bottom panel.

7

(a) Displaying Toll Amount (Source: Google Street View; Image Date: July 2016)

(b) Displaying Vehicle Eligibility (Source: Gan et al., 2012)

Figure 2-4: Signs Displaying Toll Amount and Vehicle Eligibility on I-680 Express Lanes

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.536221,-121.931965,3a,15y,232.65h,88.02t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sxkxPujKpvkYAV4dvCOWdDg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

8

Figure 2-5: Separate Sign Displaying Toll Amount on SR 91 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: June 2016)

Figure 2-6: Sign Displaying Travel Time and Toll Amount on I-15 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: January 2016)

https://goo.gl/maps/ghcFHbJZAMo

https://www.google.com/maps/@32.8533312,-117.1150106,3a,27.6y,2.81h,93.87t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1suPeSeCnQ1c2z2qy_ovRwWw!2e0!5s20160601T000000!7i13312!8i6656

9

Figure 2-7: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on SR 237 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: September 2016)

2.2.2 Colorado

The I-25 Express Lanes are two reversible lanes spanning 7 miles between 20th Street in

downtown Denver and US 36 in Denver, Colorado. The reversible express lanes are open for

southbound traffic from 5 AM to 10 AM during weekdays, and for northbound traffic from 12 PM

to 3 PM on weekdays and on weekends. The facility is free for HOVs, including buses and carpools

with at least two passengers. In addition, motorcycles can also use this facility without paying a toll.

Similar to the other express lane facilities across the country, single-occupant vehicles with an

ExpressToll transponder are allowed to pay the toll amount and use the facility. Figure 2-8 shows a

dynamic message sign (DMS) that is used to display the toll amount for vehicles having the

ExpressToll transponder and for vehicles without the transponder. The DMS can also show other

messages, such as “HOV LANE CLOSED,” “DO NOT ENTER,” and “GATE CLOSED”

(Colorado Department of Transportation, n.d.).

https://goo.gl/maps/JgmAAsomFoq

10

Figure 2-8: Dynamic Message Sign Upstream of I-25 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: October 2016)

2.2.3 Florida

Florida has the following two express lane facilities:

1. The 95 Express Lanes in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties

2. The 595 Express Lanes in Ft. Lauderdale, Broward County

The 95 Express Lanes facility in Florida is a 21-mile stretch on I-95 and extends from Golden

Glades Interchange in Miami-Dade County to just south of Broward Boulevard in Broward

County. The facility can be used by vehicles with no more than two axles, with the exception of

emergency vehicles and registered buses. Vehicles other than registered carpools with at least three

persons, registered hybrid vehicles, buses, registered vanpools, motorcycles, emergency vehicles,

and registered over-the-road motor coach vehicles need to pay a minimum toll of $0.50. Toll

amounts vary based on traffic flow on the express lanes. Figure 2-9 shows one of the signs used

on this facility. The sign shows toll amounts for vehicles that have a SunPass transponder with two

messages: (1) registered carpools are free, and (2) cash is not accepted at toll plazas (95 Express,

n.d.).

https://goo.gl/maps/1GrPmuUstcN2

11

Figure 2-9: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on 95 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: May 2015)

The 595 Express Lanes in Ft. Lauderdale are reversible lanes. The facility consists of three lanes,

and is open to multi-axle vehicles. Toll rates vary by number of axles. On weekdays, the facility

is open to eastbound traffic between 4 AM and 1 PM and to westbound traffic between 2 PM and

2 AM (FDOT, n.d.). Figure 2-10 shows a sign used on this facility.

Figure 2-10: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on I-595 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: August 2016)

2.2.4 Georgia

The I-85 Express Lanes in Atlanta, Georgia, are 16 miles long and extend from south of I-285 to

Old Peachtree Road in Gwinnett and DeKalb counties. The facility can be used by vehicles with

two or fewer occupants with a toll and by carpools with three or more occupants, buses,

motorcycles, emergency vehicles, and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) with proper AFV license

https://goo.gl/maps/mTGw9VhF9kq

https://www.google.com/maps/@26.0841489,-80.1904261,3a,40.7y,260.68h,90.65t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sUMZiwZ9n-9sslNrX-qAtTg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

12

plate with no cost (State Road and Tollway Authority, n.d.). Figure 2-11 shows a sign used on this

facility. The sign displays two toll amounts: (1) the toll amount to the next exit, and (2) the toll

amount to the last exit on the facility.


(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: July 2016)

2.2.5 Maryland

The I-95 Express Toll Lanes in Maryland are 8 miles long and span between I-895 and just north

of White Marsh Boulevard in Northeast Baltimore. The toll amounts on this four-lane facility vary

depending on peak, off-peak, or overnight hours; the direction of travel; the number of axles; and

the presence of an E-ZPass transponder on the vehicle. Unlike other express lanes, motorcycles

are tolled on the I-95 Express Toll Lanes in Maryland (Maryland Transportation Authority, n.d.).

Figure 2-12 shows a sign used on this facility. The sign displays two toll amounts: (1) the toll

amount to the next exit, and (2) the toll amount to the last exit on the facility. The toll amounts are

applicable to two-axle vehicles only, as indicated by “2 AXLE” in the bottom dynamic panel.

https://goo.gl/maps/Q73ANRzEvPw

13

Figure 2-12: Sign Displaying Toll Amount on I-95 Express Lanes in Maryland

(Source: Cross Country Roads, n.d.)

2.2.6 Minnesota

The I-35W and I-394 Express Lanes facilities are currently operational in Minnesota. The two

facilities have adopted similar sign designs. The I-35W Express Lanes facility has two segments:

one from Highway 13 in Burnsville to I-494, and the other from I-494 to downtown Minneapolis.

The I-394 Express Lanes facility also has two segments: one from Wayzata Boulevard to Highway

169, and the other from General Mills Boulevard to just east of Park Palace/Xenia Avenue

(Minnesota Department of Transportation, n.d.). Figures 2-13 and 2-14 show the signs used on the

I-35W and I-394 Express Lanes facilities, respectively. In addition to the toll amount, the

information displayed on these signs includes the following:

“OPEN” on both signs indicates that the corresponding express lane facility is open to all

traffic at no charge.

“$ AT 76TH” on the sign in Figure 2-13 indicates that a toll will be charged from that

specific location (i.e., 76th Street).

14

Figure 2-13: Sign Displaying Toll Amount to Two Destinations on I-35W Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: November 2016)

Figure 2-14: Sign Displaying Toll Amount to Two Destinations on I-394 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: September 2016)

2.2.7 Texas

The Katy Tollway is a four-lane 12-mile section on I-10 spanning between SR 6 and I-610 just

west of Houston in Harris County. Figure 2-15 gives an example of a sign displaying toll amounts

to three destinations. A separate sign is used to display occupancy and time restrictions. Single-

occupant vehicles with an EZ Tag can use the facility 24 hours a day by paying a toll. Toll rates are

based on time of day, vehicle occupancy, and axle count. As can be inferred from the sign shown in

Figure 2-16, the facility is free for HOV2+ and motorcycles during peak hours Monday through Friday

from 5 AM to 11 AM and from 2 PM to 8 PM. Trucks or trailers with three or more axles are charged

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8433132,-93.2981224,3a,24.8y,352.44h,91.11t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sL2_BxHHQGk5FqcafpVs3VA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@44.9713978,-93.3768901,3a,28.2y,262.41h,87.25t,359.79r/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa_O95OdKCI_SzeXLEiFlQw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

15

a flat fee of $7 at all times for each segment of the three destinations, for a maximum of $21 for the

entire facility (Harris County Toll Road Authority, n.d.).

Figure 2-15: Sign Displaying Toll Amounts to Three Destinations on I-10 Katy Tollway

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: July 2016)

2.2.8 Utah

When opened in 2010, the I-15 Express Lanes facility in Utah extended from 400 South in South

Utah County to Layton Parkway in North Davis. The facility was initially divided into six payment

zones, and signs at the boundaries of each of these zones show the pricing for traveling through

the zone. The pricing for each zone varied from $0.25 to $1.00 based on the level of congestion.

Figure 2-16 gives an example of a toll sign used on the I-15 Express Lanes facility. The sign shows

the toll amount only for the zone ahead and not for more than one zone. At the bottom of the sign,

the information “HOV 2+ NO TOLL” is provided to indicate that the express lanes are free for

carpools with two or more passengers and, accordingly, the toll displayed in the dynamic panel is

not applicable for these vehicles. In addition to the toll amount, the dynamic panel may display the

following word messages (Utah Department of Transportation, n.d.):

“FREE” to indicate any vehicle regardless of occupancy can use the facility for free

“HOV ONLY” to indicate only carpools, buses, motorcycles, commercial decal vehicles,

and emergency vehicles may use the facility

“CLOSED” to indicate all drivers must exit the facility at the next exit point

https://goo.gl/maps/kmFdDJP6Pyx

16


(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: June 2016)

2.2.9 Virginia

Two express lane facilities, 495 Express Lanes and 95 Express Lanes, are currently operational in

Virginia. The four-lane 495 Express Lanes are 14 miles long and are located in the center of the I-

495/Capital Beltway extending from the Springfield Interchange to just north of Dulles Toll Road

on the Virginia side. The 95 Express Lanes are 29 miles long and are located in the center of I-95

from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County to the vicinity of Edsall Road on I-395 in Fairfax

County. The 95 Express Lanes are reversible. The two facilities are free for carpools with three or

more occupants, buses, and emergency vehicles with an E-ZPass and for motorcycles not requiring

an E-ZPass. Based on real-time travel conditions, tolls may vary from as low as $0.20 per mile

during less congested times up to approximately $1.00 per mile in some sections during rush hour

(495|95 Express Lanes, 2016).

Figure 2-17 shows two pricing signs used on the 495 Express Lanes. The sign in Figure 2-17(a)

displays toll amounts to three locations. The first two locations on the sign are the most popular

destinations ahead and the third location is the last exit on the facility. As shown in Figure 2-17(b),

the sign provides the toll amount and the status of the connecting 95 Express Lanes in both

directions from the 495 Express Lanes’ access points. Figure 2-18 shows the sign used at the

entrance of the 95 Express Lanes facility. The sign provides a dynamic message in two lines.

https://goo.gl/maps/xsSUG57jqDJ2

17

(a) Displaying Status of Connecting Express Lanes and Toll Amount


(b) Displaying Toll Amount to Three Destinations


Figure 2-17: Express Lanes Signs on 495 Express Lanes

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7979988,-77.1986375,3a,37y,99.34h,89.57t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suk43HJENXx2GRgtPtayivg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.7969944,-77.1925458,3a,49.3y,288.86h,84.43t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1siSyUUwIMTvrYNSgHaTwUfw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en

18

Figure 2-18: Express Lanes Signs on 95 Express Lanes

(Source: Google Street View; Image Date: December 2015)

2.2.10 Washington

Washington currently operates two express lanes, the SR 167 high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes

and the I-405 Express Toll Lanes. The SR 167 HOT lanes span approximately 10 miles between

Auburn and Renton. The I-405 Express Lanes are 17 miles long and are located between Bellevue

and Lynnwood. Depending on the congestion level, toll rates on the SR 167 HOT lanes vary from

as low as $0.50 up to $9.00 and those on the I-405 Express Toll Lanes vary from $0.75 to $10.00.

Both facilities are toll free between 7 PM and 5 AM (Washington State Department of

Transportation, n.d.). Figure 2-19 shows a tolling sign used on the SR 167 HOT lanes. The legend

shown on the top conveys that buses and carpools with two or more passengers are allowed to use

the facility for free. The dynamic message indicates the toll amount to be paid for use of the facility

by registered vehicles with GoodToGo transponders.

Figure 2-20 shows a sign used on the I-405 Express Toll Lanes. The sign displays two toll amounts

to three destinations: the first two are to major destinations, and the last on the list is to the last exit

on the facility. Unlike the sign on the SR 167 HOT lanes, the information regarding toll-free

vehicles on the I-405 Express Toll Lanes is provided in the dynamic panel at the bottom of the

sign.

https://goo.gl/maps/9qw7gT7Fo2Q2

19

Figure 2-19: Express Lane Sign on SR 167 HOT Lanes

(Source: Texas A&M Transportation Institute, 2011)

Figure 2-20: Express Lane Sign on the I-405 Express Toll Lanes

(Source: Arehart, 2016)

20

2.3 Summary

This chapter summarized the provisions in the MUTCD for regulatory signs, guide signs, and

tolling agency’s pictograph on express lanes. It also reviewed the express lane signs currently

being used across the country. The following general observations can be made from this review:

Many existing express lane signs have not been updated to meet the current MUTCD

standards for express lane signs.

The existing express lane signs vary across the different facilities not only in the types of

information they display, but also in color, size, layout, and number of sign panels used.

The existing express lane signs generally display information on toll amounts and

accessibility status such as “OPEN” or “CLOSED.”

The I-15 Express Lanes in San Diego, California, are the only facility where the express

lane signs display travel time on express lanes in addition to toll amount.

None of the signs were found to display comparative travel times on express lanes versus

general-purpose lanes.

Table 2-1 gives a summary of the information displayed on express lane signs on the 17 express

lane facilities reviewed in this chapter.

Table 2-1: Summary of Information Displayed on Express Lane Signs

across the United States

State Number of

Destinations

Toll

Amount

Travel

Time Additional Information

California 1–2 Yes Yes* HOV2+ NO TOLL

Colorado 1–2 Yes No HOV FREE

Florida 1–2 Yes No REGISTERED CARPOOLS

FREE, CASH NOT ACCEPTED

Georgia 2 Yes No

Maryland 2 Yes No 2 AXLE

Minnesota 2 Yes No CAR POOLS, BUSES &

MOTORCYCLES FREE

Texas 1–3 Yes No EZ TAG ONLY

Utah 1 Yes No HOV 2+ NO TOLL

Virginia 3 Yes No E-ZPASS EXPRESS ONLY

Washington State 1–3 Yes No

* Travel time and toll amount are displayed on the I-15 Express Lanes facility in San Diego, California.

21

CHAPTER 3

FOCUS GROUP STUDY

This chapter focuses on the process undertaken to evaluate different express lane sign design

alternatives. It describes the focus group study development, participant recruitment, and study

administration. The study was directed to assess participants’ understanding of the different

messages conveyed by the signs, to identify their preferences to different sign alternatives, and to

obtain potential suggestions on issues related to sign design and implementation.

3.1 Institutional Review Board Approval

Approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Florida International University (FIU) is

required for all research projects involving human subjects, such as public opinion surveys, focus

groups, stated preference surveys, etc. The researchers requested and obtained the IRB approval

to conduct the focus group study.

3.2 Participant Recruitment

To recruit participants for focus groups, the research team distributed flyers through the FIU

mailing lists. Figure 3-1 provides the application form used to recruit participants for this focus

group study. Interested subjects with a valid U.S. driver’s license were required to email back

additional information. Subjects were then asked for their consent to participate in this study. After

their consent was provided, subjects were scheduled for the study per their convenience. The

research team made sure that there was enough representation of older drivers, and that the college

students were not overrepresented. Finally, a total of 49 people from different age, gender, and

ethnic groups were recruited by the research team for the focus group study. Note that the focus

group strategy adopted in this research is intended to provide a representative opinion of the

driving population, which might not reflect statistically significant inferences.

3.3 Study Procedure

A total of five focus group meetings were held in the summer of 2015. The meetings were

scheduled on two Saturdays, July 18, 2015, and July 25, 2015. The focus groups met in the

conference room in the FIU Engineering Center (Address: Room EC 3350, 10555 West Flagler

Street, Miami, FL, 33174).

As participants of the focus groups gathered, team members checked their driver’s licenses to

confirm their eligibility to participate in the study. To be eligible, participants needed to have a

valid U.S. driver’s license and be 18 years or older. All the eligible participants were given the

Informed Consent Form to be signed and returned. The participants were given two sets of

questionnaires: one for providing their demographic information, and the other for answering the

questions and writing down comments during the presentation. The two questionnaires are

provided in Appendix A. The demographic questions include the following:

City of residence

Gender

Age

22

Ethnicity

Level of education

Years of driving in the U.S.

Estimate of miles driven per year

Type of vehicle used to drive

Figure 3-1: Focus Group Participant Application Form

23

Table 3-1 gives the summary of demographic information of the participants. The first

questionnaire also included questions about the participants’ experience driving on express lanes.

When asked about how often they use I-95 Interstate Highway in Miami-Dade County, the location

that includes express lanes in Florida, about 96% (47 of 49) stated that they either regularly or

occasionally use I-95 in Miami-Dade County. When asked how often they use the express lanes

on I-95, 44.9% (22 of 49) stated that they have never used the I-95 Express Lanes, while the

remaining 55.1% (27 of 49) stated that they have used that facility.

Table 3-1: Demographic Information of Participants

Category Frequency (Percentage)1

Gender

Female

Male

25 (51.0%)

24 (49.0%)

Age groups

18–30 years

31–50 years

51+ years

18 (36.7%)

19 (38.7%)

12 (24.6%)

Born in the U.S.

Yes

No

21 (42.8%)

28 (57.2%)

Race and ethnicity

Hispanic/Latino

White (not of Hispanic origin)

African American

Native American

Asian or Pacific Islander

Other

34 (69.4%)

4 (8.2%)

4 (8.2%)

0 (0.0%)

7 (14.2%)

0 (0.0%)

Level of education

Less than high school

High school diploma / GED

Some college

College degree

Advanced college degree

1 (2.0%)

4 (8.2%)

7 (14.2%)

21 (42.0%)

16 (33.6%)

Number of years driving in U.S.

1–10 years

11–25 years

26+ years

17 (34.7%)

21 (42.0%)

11 (23.3%)

Miles driven per year

0–7000 miles

7001–15,000 miles

15,001+ miles

10 (20.4%)

26 (53.0%)

13 (26.6%)

Type of vehicle

Passenger cars

Pickup

Commercial vehicle

Motorcycle

47 (96.0%)2

3 (6.1%)2

2 (4.1%)2

1 (2.0%)2 1 Participants were primarily from South Florida; 2 Some participants drive more than one type of vehicle.

24

Each focus group session was facilitated by the same member of the research team, who was

assisted by two note-takers and one translator for any participants who speak only Spanish. Note

that the translation services were not utilized, as all the participants were English-literate. The

session facilitator first provided a brief introduction about the background of the research and the

study objectives. The sign alternatives were then introduced to the participants using PowerPoint

slides. The slides primarily included the proposed signs and their alternatives, typical layouts, and

digitally edited photographs. For each scenario, a set of questions was asked to capture the

participants’ understanding of the signs. Participants provided written responses to these questions.

Next, a discussion was initiated to gather participants’ opinions on the sign’s applicability,

legibility, design, and preference. This approach made sure that the participants’ responses to the

questions were not influenced by each other’s opinions. Note that no unusual occurrences that may

have influenced some of the study results occurred during the focus group sessions. Appendix B

provides the presentation slides.

Each focus group took about 60 to 90 minutes to complete. At the end of the focus group meeting,

participants each received a $40 gift card as compensation and appreciation for their time and

contribution to the study.

25

CHAPTER 4

FOCUS GROUP STUDY RESULTS

In this chapter, results from the focus group study on sign design alternatives, as categorized below,

are presented:




4. Preferences for travel time vs. average speed




lanes


The following sections discuss the focus group results for each of these eight categories in detail.

Participants’ comments and suggestions are included.

4.1 Sign Legend Preference for Toll-exempt Vehicles in Florida

Express lanes are toll roads that are generally open to all drivers who choose to pay a toll to use

the facility. However, a few vehicle types qualify to ride for free on almost all express lane

facilities. For example, motorcycles can use express lanes for free on the I-95 Express Lanes

(known as the “95 Express”) in Miami-Dade County in Florida. Buses and carpools can also ride

for free, as long as they are registered with the agency. Since the toll-exempt vehicles vary by

jurisdiction, displaying this information is helpful to drivers.

Figure 4-1 gives two sign alternatives for displaying toll-exempt vehicles on express lanes.

Alternative A (an existing sign on the 95 Express) displays the toll-exempt vehicles using words

alone, while Alternative B, the proposed alternative, displays this information using a combination

of words and symbols. Participants were shown these two alternatives, and were asked to state

their preference, and the reason(s) for their preference.

(a) Alternative A (b) Alternative B

Figure 4-1: Sign Alternatives Displaying Toll-exempt Vehicles

26

Alternatives A and B were preferred by 49% (24) and 51% (25) of the participants, respectively.

Table 4-1 provides the opinions of the participants about each alternative. Note that these results

could be biased toward Alternative A since this sign is currently used on the 95 Express facility.

Several participants who disliked the symbols stated that the symbols were small and difficult to

understand. If the symbols are made more clear and larger, more participants might prefer this

alternative. The participants generally preferred placing the word “FREE” at the start of the

sentence compared to placing it at the end of the sentence.

Table 4-1: Opinions of Participants on Sign Alternatives Displaying Toll-Exempt Vehicles

A: Alternative with Words Alone Freq. B: Alternative with Words and Symbols Freq.

Po

siti

ve

The sign is easy to understand. 15 The sign can be recognized faster. 13

The sign is less distracting. 3 The sign is easy to understand. 8

The letter size is better to read. 2 The sign has less information to read. 4

The sign can be recognized faster. 2

The sign is easier to understand by people

who do not speak English. 2

The sign is less distracting. 1

Good information display. 1

Neg

ativ

e The sign has too much information to

read. 5 It is difficult to understand the symbols. 15

It is difficult to understand the sign. 1 The symbols are small. 2

Notes:

Some participants provided more than one argument for/against their preference.

Alternative A was preferred by 24 participants, and Alternative B was preferred by 25 participants.

Additional comments and suggestions from the participants that are not summarized in Table 4-1

include the following:

Alternative B takes less time for me to read the sign and comprehend the “FREE”

information. However, symbols probably can be drawn in a better way for better

understanding.

Wording in Alternative A is confusing, perhaps starting with “FREE FOR

MOTORCYCLES” might be better; pictures are also quicker to read in the limited time

you have while driving.

In Alternative A, you can read well because the letters are big enough to read from a

distance and while traveling at high speeds.

In Alternative B, first, images are readable faster and people can understand them easier

and faster. Second, the word “FREE” is at the beginning.

I would prefer Alternative B if the symbols were larger. However, the one with words could

be seen from a farther distance.

The symbols in Alternative B are too small to see from a distance and understand. For

example, “3+” is very small compared to the rest of the legend.

Participants were also shown Alternative B and were asked the meaning of “SUNPASS ONLY.”

All the 49 participants correctly responded that only vehicles with a SunPass transponder can use

the express lanes. When asked what “3+” on the car logo indicates, 65.3% (32) of the participants

27

correctly interpreted it to be carpools with at least three persons, while the remaining 34.7% (17)

misinterpreted it to be carpools with more than three persons.

4.2 Display of Travel Time

The existing signs on the 95 Express provide the toll amount for using these facilities. However,

they do not provide any information on travel time along the express lanes to help drivers assess

the benefit of paying extra to use the express lanes. Figure 4-2(a) shows the design of a proposed

sign that provides information on both travel time and toll amount. Participants were first shown

this design and were asked to interpret the time information that is displayed on the sign. Only

59.2% (29) of the participants correctly interpreted the information on this sign to mean that it

takes 10 minutes to reach SR 112, and the toll is $1. Over 16% (8) of the participants misinterpreted

the sign and thought that drivers need to pay $1 every 10 minutes. Table 4-2 shows the frequency

and percentage of different interpretations of the time displayed on this sign.


Figure 4-2: Sign Alternatives for Displaying Travel Time Information

Table 4-2: Interpretations of Time Displayed on the Express Lanes Sign

Interpretation Frequency (Percentage)

Time to reach SR 112a 29 (59.2%)

Pay $1 every 10 minutes 8 (16.4%)

Time remaining for toll amount to change 3 (6.1%)

Time to reach/end the express lanes 3 (6.1%)

Time delay in the express lanes 3 (6.1%)

Express lanes will save 10 minutes 2 (4.1%)

Total 48 (98.0%)b a Correct interpretation; b One participant did not respond to this question.

Participants also were asked about the usefulness of travel time information. A majority (78%, 38)

of the participants considered the travel time information as either Very Useful (26) or Useful (12).

This result is consistent with several other studies (Chrysler and Nelson, 2009; Saha et al., 2014).

28

Participants then were shown Figures 4-2(a) and 4-2(b) side-by-side, which gave two sign

alternatives for conveying travel time information. Alternative A displays toll amount and travel

time information in the same row, whereas Alternative B provides the same information in two

different rows. Participants were asked to state their preference and the reason(s) for their

preference. Alternative B was preferred by over two-thirds (67.3%, 33) of the participants, while

the remaining participants (32.7%, 16) preferred Alternative A. Table 4-3 provides the opinions of

the participants about each alternative.

Table 4-3: Opinions of Participants on Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Time

Alternative A Freq. Alternative B Freq.

Po

siti

ve

The sign has efficient layout. 14 The sign is easy to understand. 24

The sign is easy to understand. 5 The sign states the phrase “TRAVEL

TIME.” 8

Less time is needed to read the sign. 3 The sign is bigger. 5

The sign has bigger letters. 1 The sign has more information. 1

Neg

ativ

e The meaning of “10 MINS” is ambiguous. 4 The sign has too much information. 6

The sign looks congested. 1 The sign is too big. 2

The sign needs too much time to interpret. 1 The sign is more distracting. 1

Notes:



Several participants stated that Alternative A has an efficient layout because the sign is smaller

and has fewer words. However, since it does not explicitly state what 10 MINS means, the

information could be misinterpreted by unfamiliar drivers. Several other participants thought that

Alternative B is easy to understand especially because the sign explicitly states, “TRAVEL TIME

TO SR 112,” leaving no room for confusion. Alternative B is also larger in size and does not look

crowded.

The following are the additional comments and suggestions from the participants that are not

summarized in Table 4-3:

Alternative A is simpler and delivers the message without making it too wordy or long.

Maybe change the order of the sign, i.e., “10 MINS TO SR 112 $1.00.”

I would prefer Alternative A if “10 MINS” was before “$1.00.” Otherwise, Alternative B

is the obvious choice since it has more clarity. A better choice is: “10 MINS TO SR 112

$1.00.”

I prefer Alternative B because I can understand that 10 minutes is related in specific to the

travel time. However, I would also like to know how much time I am saving.

The legend in Alternative A is bigger and it is easier to read when the toll amount and the

travel time information are in one line. “10 MINS” should be closer to SR 112.

Alternative A is smaller, and has fewer words to read. I would include a time interval (e.g.,

8–10 MINS) instead of the exact number. It is a good idea to display the time before the

toll amount, i.e., “8–10 MINS TO SR 112 $1.00” or “TO SR 112 8–10 MINS $1.00.”

29

Alternative B is much easier to understand at first sight, while it is difficult to interpret the

information in Alternative A. I thought first that Alternative A means the $1.00 toll amount

was going to change in 10 minutes.

Alternative B is clear and it leaves no room for misinterpretation. Actually, Alternative A

with the phrase “TRAVEL TIME” over “10 MINS” would be better (and not repeating SR

112) compared to the phrase “10 MINS TO SR 112 $1.00.”

I think Alternative B is very clear for interpretation. In Alternative B, the words “TO

SR 112” need to be eliminated.

Since express lanes often serve multiple destinations, a new sign displaying travel time and toll

amount information to two sequential destinations, with SR 826 being the first destination and

I-595 being the second and farther destination, was designed and shown to the participants (see

Figure 4-3). Similar to the sign in Figure 4-2(a), this sign does not explicitly state what the time

means. Since this sign was presented immediately after discussing signs in Figure 4-2, participants

already knew that the time displayed is travel time to the destination.

Figure 4-3: Travel Time and Toll Amount

Information to Multiple Destinations

To understand if this sign clearly conveys the correct travel time and toll information, participants

were asked to determine the travel time and toll amount to I-595 based on the information provided

on this sign. For travel time, participants were given two options: (a) 24 minutes, and (b) 9 minutes

+ 24 minutes = 33 minutes. Similarly, for toll amount, participants were again given two options:

(a) $2.50, and (b) $1.00 + $2.50 = $3.50. The correct answer is (a) in both cases, as the practice is

to treat the two destinations independently.

A high 93.9% (46) of the participants correctly stated that it takes 24 minutes to reach I-595, while

the remaining 6.1% (3) of the participants responded incorrectly. As expected, also a high 91.8%

(45) of the participants correctly stated that it costs $2.50 to reach I-595, while the remaining 8.2%

(4) of the participants responded incorrectly. The results show that a majority of the participants

correctly interpreted the information conveyed on these signs.

30

Finally, the participants were asked if the sign has too much information. Over three-fourths

(79.6%, 39) of the participants noted that they do not feel that the sign has too much information,

while the remaining 20.4% (10) stated that the sign has too much information.

4.3 Display of Average Speed in Lieu of Travel Time

The research team hypothesized that using average speed in lieu of travel time (as in Figure 4-2)

could provide better information for drivers to assess traffic conditions on a facility. Unlike travel

time, which depends on distance that is known only to drivers familiar with the area, average speed

has a fixed range that is independent of distance. It should be clear to all drivers that a low average

speed on an express lane facility implies that the facility is congested, while a high average speed

implies otherwise. However, there was a concern that the drivers may misinterpret the average

speed as the speed limit.

To test this scenario, the sign in Figure 4-4(a), which displays the average speed on express lanes

using a speed number that is a multiple of five, was presented to the participants who were first

asked what “MPH” represents. All participants correctly stated that it refers to miles per hour.

Participants were then asked what “55 MPH” indicates, and were presented with three options to

choose from: (1) the speed limit on the express lanes, (2) the driving speed of the driver, and (3) the

average speed on the express lanes. About two-thirds (61.2%, 30) of the participants thought that

55 MPH is the speed limit on the express lanes, 34.7% (17) thought that the speed on the sign is

the average speed on the express lanes, and the remaining 4.1% (2) thought that the speed is the

actual driving speed of the driver.

Without revealing the correct answer to “55 MPH” in Figure 4-4(a), a second sign as shown in

Figure 4-4(b) was presented to the participants, with only the speed changed from 55 MPH to

47 MPH. Participants were asked what “47 MPH” indicates, and were again given the same three

options to choose from. The percentage of participants giving the correct answer that the speed

shown is the average speed increased from 34.7% (17) to 55.1% (27), while the remaining 44.9%

(22) of the participants still answered incorrectly (see Figure 4-5). Based on this result, if an agency

should decide to use average speed in lieu of travel time, it is recommended to use average speeds

that are not multiples of five. This can easily be done by adding or subtracting 1 mph arbitrarily

when the average speed estimate turns out to be a multiple of five. While the percentages of

participants who misinterpreted the speed values are considered high in both cases, it can be

expected that over time and with driver education, the level of misinterpretation will reduce

significantly.

31

(a) Express Lanes Sign with Average Speed

in Multiples of Five

(b) Express Lanes Sign with Average Speed

not in Multiples of Five

Figure 4-4: Average Speed Information on Express Lanes Signs

Figure 4-5: Participants’ Interpretations of Average Speed Information on Signs

Next, participants were shown Figures 4-6(a), 4-6(b), and 4-6(c), which gave three sign

alternatives for conveying average speed information. Alternative A displays toll amount and

average speed information in the same row without explicitly stating the meaning of the speed,

61.2

34.7

4.1

30.6

55.1

14.3

The Speed Shown is the

Speed Limit


Average Speed


Actual Driver Speed

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Par

tici

pan

ts (

%)

Sign Displaying 55 MPH

Sign Displaying 47 MPH

32

while Alternative B and Alternative C explicitly state “AVERAGE SPEED” on the sign. The toll

amount and average travel speed are displayed in one row in Alternative B, while they are

displayed in two rows in Alternative C.

(a) Alternative A

(b) Alternative B

(c) Alternative C

Figure 4-6: Sign Alternatives Displaying Average Speed Information

33

Participants were asked to state their preference and the reason(s) for their preference. Over half

(57.1%, 28) of the participants preferred Alternative C, approximately one-third (32.7%, 16) of

the participants preferred Alternative B, and only 8.2% (4) of the participants chose Alternative A.

Table 4-4 provides the opinions of the participants about each alternative.

Table 4-4: Opinions of Participants on Sign Alternatives Displaying Average Speed

Alternative A Freq. Alternative B Freq. Alternative C Freq.

Po

siti

ve

It is easy to

understand the sign. 2

This is a better layout. 9 It is easy to

understand the sign. 22

It is easy to understand the

sign. 8 This is a better layout. 8

Effective information

display. 2

The sign states

“AVERAGE SPEED.” 3

The sign states

“AVERAGE SPEED.” 7

The sign has fewer

words to read. 1

The sign can be read

faster. 1

The sign is bigger. 7

The sign can be read

faster. 1

Neg

ativ

e The sign does not state

“AVERAGE SPEED.” 3 The sign looks congested. 5 The sign is too big. 3

The sign looks

congested. 1

It is difficult to understand

the sign quickly. 1

The sign has too

many words. 1

Notes:


Alternatives A, B, and C were preferred by 4, 16, and 28 participants, respectively.



Alternative A does not clearly state that the speed displayed is the average speed on the

express lanes; it could be the speed limit. Alternative C is big, causing all other information

to be smaller. Alternative B is straight to the point.

Drivers are used to seeing “SUNPASS ONLY” as the only words at the top of a sign, so

“AVERAGE SPEED” in Alternative B is easy to miss.

Alternative C is less congested than Alternative B. Alternative A does not explicitly state

that 47 MPH is the average speed; some might think it is the speed limit.

Alternative A is the simplest, and easiest to read. No need to state “AVERAGE SPEED.”

To minimize drivers misinterpreting the speed to be the speed limit, avoid “55,” “45,” and

other multiples of five.

Alternative B looks nicer and more organized, and is easier to read while driving.

Alternative C has a lot of empty space, and the words get lost; Alternative B stands out

more.

4.4 Preferences for Travel Time vs. Average Speed

Since drivers pay a toll to use express lanes, real-time information on the level of congestion on

express lanes helps drivers decide whether to use express lanes. Travel time and average speed are

the two most common measures of congestion. In this test scenario, participants were presented

with signs displaying travel time and average speed information, and were asked the following

34

question: Which alternative makes it easier for you to decide whether or not to use the express

lanes, and why?

Figure 4-7 provides the two alternatives shown to the participants. Based on the information

provided in these signs, it takes 24 minutes to reach SR 112 (see Alternative A), and the average

speed on the facility is 20 MPH (see Alternative B). The toll amount is identical in the two

alternatives. A majority (59.2%, 29) of the participants thought that Alternative B with average

speed made it easier for them to decide whether to use the express lanes than Alternative A with

travel time. Table 4-5 summarizes the opinions of the participants explaining their preferences.

The most common responses indicate that average speed can best estimate the congestion level as

it tells drivers how fast the traffic is moving.

(a) Alternative A: Travel Time Information

(b) Alternative B: Average Speed Information

Figure 4-7: Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Time and Average Speed

Participants who preferred travel time information argued that this information will explicitly tell

them how much time it takes to reach the destination, which is not directly available from average

speed information unless the distance to the destination is also provided. However, travel time

information might not be useful for tourists and unfamiliar drivers as they might not know the

actual travel time to the destination (i.e., when the facility is not congested), and hence, cannot

35

predict congestion. Compared to travel time, average speed is preferred since it is independent of

distance.

Table 4-5: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying

Travel Time and Average Speed

A: Sign Displaying Travel Time Freq. B: Sign Displaying Average Speed Freq.

Po

siti

ve

Time is more important to make

decisions. 9

User can estimate the congestion

based on how fast the traffic flows. 12

The sign is easy to understand. 7 The sign is easy to understand. 6

It is easier to know my total travel time. 5

The sign states the actual speed on

the express lane facility. 5

Easy to compare between average

speed and the speed limit. 3

User can estimate the travel time

using the average speed. 1

Neg

ativ

e

It is difficult to say how congested the

facility is just based on travel time. 1

The average speed is useless

information. 3

It is difficult to estimate time using

average speed. 1

Notes:





The average speed helps me more when the facility is congested. Because 20 MPH is super

slow, implying that the traffic is bad.

It is easy to get the information based on the average speed. However, the toll amount did

not tell the information about the level of congestion.

I prefer Alternative B because we use speed to decide whether or not it is worth to pay high

toll to go at a low speed.

4.5 Display of Comparative Travel Times on Express Lanes vs. General-purpose Lanes

The existing signs on express lanes provide the toll amount for using the express lanes. However,

in addition to the toll amount, drivers may need information such as travel times along express

lanes and adjacent general-purpose lanes to better assess the need/benefit of paying extra to use

express lanes. Figure 4-8(a) and 4-8(b) show the two alternatives that display travel times along

express lanes and general-purpose lanes. As can be observed from the figure, Alternative A shows

the travel time on Express and Local (i.e., general-purpose) Lanes next to each other and separated

by a vertical line, while Alternative B displays the same travel time information in two separate

rows. Alternative A was preferred by a majority (87.8%, 43) of the participants, while the

remaining participants (12.2%, 6) chose Alternative B. Table 4-6 provides the opinions of the

participants about each alternative.

36


Figure 4-8: Comparative Travel Times on Express Lanes Sign

Table 4-6: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying Comparative

Travel Times on Express Lanes and General-purpose Lanes

Alternative A Freq. Alternative B Freq.

Posi

tive

The time next to each other matches

with the location of the lanes. 28 The sign has a better layout. 2


The sign is bigger. 3 Preposition “TO” is easy to understand. 2

Neg

ativ

e

It is difficult to understand the sign. 1

There is too much information to read. 1

The sign needs more interpretation. 1

Notes:





Alternative B is a little bit clearer than Alternative A. I think “TO SR 112” in Alternative

B is what makes the difference.

In Alternative A, change “SR 112 VIA” to “TO SR 112.” Alternative A is easier to read.

Alternative A is clear and drivers can figure out quickly, and can choose based on the travel

times displayed. It is a good design.

Alternative A is easier to read using graphic organizer. I would like to know the toll amount

as well before I decide.

Alternative A is easy to read and understand. I would use “toll lanes” and “regular” or “free

lanes” to make it easier for the drivers to understand that express lanes require paying toll.

In Alternative A, I do not like the word “VIA” as well. I prefer “TO SR 112.”

Alternative A where the travel times on Express Lanes and Local Lanes are displayed side-

by-side is a better design to help me understand and make a decision.

Alternative B is more traditional. People already got used to it.

I prefer Alternative A because it just looks better and then it has the split lines, so in my

mind it is telling me to make a decision. In addition, I will add “TO” in front of SR 112.

37

Alternative A is clear and easy to read.

Alternative A is easier to focus on than Alternative B. Including “TO” would improve

Alternative A.

4.6 Preference for Comparative Travel Times vs. Comparative Average Speeds

Drivers often decide whether or not to pay a toll to use express lanes by assessing traffic conditions

on both express lanes and local lanes (i.e., general-purpose lanes that drivers can use without

paying a toll). Since both travel times and average speeds were being considered in this study as

measures of traffic conditions on a facility, two alternatives providing travel times and average

speeds on both express lanes and local lanes were presented.

As shown in Figure 4-9, Alternative A provides comparative travel times to SR 112 using express

lanes and local lanes. Similarly, Alternative B provides average travel speeds on both express lanes

and local lanes. Participants were asked to choose the alternative that helped them decide whether

or not to use express lanes. Alternative A was chosen by 75.5% (37) of the participants, and the

remaining 24.5% (12) preferred Alternative B. Table 4-7 provides the opinions of the participants

about each alternative. Several participants stated that the comparative travel time information

helps them decide whether or not to use the express lanes, and also helps them calculate the time

to destination. On the other hand, participants that chose the sign with comparative average travel

speeds stated that average speed on a facility helps them estimate traffic congestion.


Figure 4-9: Sign Alternatives Displaying Travel Times and Average Travel Speeds on

Express Lanes and General-purpose Lanes

38


Travel Times and Average Speeds

A: Use of Travel Time to Compare Freq. B: Use of Average Speed to Compare Freq.

Po

siti

ve

Information on travel time is better to

make a decision. 15

The average speed is better to

estimate traffic congestion. 4

The sign helps to calculate the time to

destination. 11 The sign is easy to understand. 3

The sign is easy to understand. 5 The sign shows average speed on the

express lanes. 1

It is easier to calculate the time saved. 4

Travel time is more important. 3 Drivers can use average speed to

calculate travel time. 1 Travel time is already calculated from

average speed. 1

Neg

ativ

e

Travel time information is useless for

first time users. 1

Drivers have to calculate travel time

from average speed. 1

Notes:





I prefer to have travel time information. I will be able to know how much time I am saving

as well as the congestion level. This is great for tourists.

If I am traveling on this road for the first time (i.e., for tourists), I cannot compare the travel

times to reach SR 112.

4.7 Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount

As discussed previously, the existing signs on express lanes provide the toll amount for traveling

through the express lanes. However, in addition to the toll amount, drivers may benefit from

information such as travel times along express lanes and adjacent general-purpose lanes to better

assess the need to/benefit of paying extra to use express lanes. The research team, therefore,

proposed a new sign to provide comparative travel times along express lanes and general-purpose

lanes, in addition to the toll amount on express lanes. Figure 4-10 shows the design of the proposed

sign.

A majority of the participants rated the information displayed on this sign as either Very Useful

(77.6%, 38), or Useful (12.2%, 6). Only about one-tenth of the participants (10.2%, 5) considered

this comparative travel time information to be Somewhat Useful. None of the participants

considered the sign to be Not Useful.

Participants were next asked to comment on the amount of information displayed on this sign.

Over half (55.1%, 27) of the participants noted that the sign has too much information, while the

remaining 44.9% (22) thought that the sign does not have too much information.

39

Figure 4-10: Comparative Travel Times with Toll Amount

4.7.1 Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount Displayed on One or Two Signs

Since about half of the participants considered displaying the travel times on express lanes and

general-purpose lanes, along with the current toll amount all on one sign to be too much

information, the researchers contemplated splitting that information into two signs (i.e., toll

amount and comparative travel times on two separate signs). Figure 4-11 provides the two

alternatives. Alternative A displays both the comparative travel times and the toll amount on one

sign, while Alternative B presents the comparative travel times on one sign and the toll amount on

a separate sign.


Figure 4-11: Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount Displayed on One or Two Signs

Alternative B where the toll amount and travel time on express lanes and general-purpose lanes

are displayed on two signs was preferred by 51% (25) of the participants, while the remaining 49%

40

(24) of the participants preferred Alternative A, where the same information is displayed on a

single sign. Table 4-8 provides the opinions of the participants about the two alternatives.


Travel Times and Toll Amount on One or Two Signs

A: Information Displayed on One Sign Freq. B: Information Displayed on Two Signs Freq.

Po

siti

ve

The sign has all the information the

drivers need to decide whether to use

express lanes.

16 The information is split in two signs to

understand it easily. 13


Drivers have more time to either use

express lanes or stay on general-

purpose lanes.

5 Drivers can decide faster whether to use

express lanes. 2

The same information is repeated

several times. 4 The sign can be read faster. 2

Neg

ativ

e One sign looks more congested. 1 Two signs result in more distraction to

the drivers. 3 Drivers need more time to

understand the complete sign. 2

Notes:





I want to decide based on both time and money. Also, two signs will require more time to

decide. If only one sign is used, the only risk is missing it. If two signs are used, a driver may

see comparative travel times first and switch lanes to take express lanes, then see the toll

amount, and switch back to general-purpose lanes. Alternative B is therefore not great.

Alternative A is better because fewer signs are better. I would rather read the same sign

three times than have different signs. It is confusing to have multiple signs.

Alternative A has too much information, and there is not enough time to read, process, and

understand all the information being conveyed. It may also be dangerous to read and

comprehend all the information in Alternative A while driving at 60 MPH.

Alternative A has a lot of information and conveying the same information on two signs is

better. However, it is better to know the comparative travel times and toll amount upstream

of express lanes.

Alternative A has too much information. However, I prefer to know the toll amount before

I take the express lanes.

My preference is time and not toll amount. So, I decide based on time. I already know

express lanes are not free.

4.7.2 Order of Comparative Travel Times and Toll Amount Information Displayed on Two Signs

Irrespective of the participants’ preference to view the comparative travel times and toll amount

information on one or two signs, the participants’ preferred order of display when two signs are to

be deployed was collected. The sign’s display order addresses whether the participants would like

41

to see the sign with comparative travel time information first or the sign displaying toll amount

first. Participants were also requested to provide the rationale behind their preference.

Figure 4-12 illustrates the two alternatives presented to the participants. Alternative A displays the

toll amount in the first sign, followed by the sign that shows the comparative travel times on the

express lanes and general-purpose lanes. Alternative B presents the comparative travel times on

the first sign, followed by the toll amount to use the express lanes on the second sign.


Figure 4-12: Sign Alternatives Displaying Different Order of the Information

When the comparative travel times and toll amount were displayed on two signs, 53.1% (26) of

the participants preferred Alternative A where the toll amount was displayed first, and the

remaining 46.9% (23) chose Alternative B where comparative travel times were displayed first.

Table 4-9 provides the opinions of the participants about the two alternatives. Note that all the

comments provided by the participants are positive.

42

Table 4-9: Opinions of Participants about Order of Information Displayed on Two Signs

A: Toll Amount Followed by

Comparative Travel Times Freq.

B: Comparative Travel Times

Followed by Toll Amount Freq.

Po

siti

ve

The sign helps drivers to decide based

on the toll amount before seeing the

travel time.

18

The most important criteria to decide

between express lanes and general-purpose

lanes is travel time, and it is displayed first.

13

Since the toll amount is displayed

first, drivers have more time to decide

before entering the express lanes.

2

Drivers get the information on comparative

travel times on express lanes and general-

purpose lanes sooner.

9

Drivers have more time to switch to

general-purpose lanes when toll

amount is high.

1 This order gives travel time first and makes

it easier for drivers to decide if paying toll

amount is worth it.

8

This alternative shows early that

express lanes require tolls. 1

Notes:





It is difficult to decide one alternative over the other. Time is more important for some people,

while money is more important for some people. The preference depends on the person.

If I decide to save time, I would prefer the see the sign displaying the toll amount first.

Nonetheless, it is better to display all information together in one sign.

4.7.3 Sign Legend Preference for General-purpose Lanes

As discussed in prior sections, the general-purpose lanes that are adjacent to the express lanes are

free for all vehicles. Although this term is common within the transportation community, it is not

familiar among the general public. Besides, this phrase is wordy to display on a sign. As such, the

research team proposed two alternative signs. As shown in Figure 4-13, Alternative A uses the

phrase “LOCAL LANES,” which is currently used on the 95 Express, while Alternative B uses

the phrase “NO-TOLL LANES.” Participants were shown these two alternatives, and were asked

to state their preference, and the reason(s) for their preference. Table 4-10 provides the opinions

of the participants about the two alternatives.

43

(a) Alternative A: “LOCAL LANES”

(b) Alternative B: “NO-TOLL LANES”

Figure 4-13: LOCAL LANES and NO-TOLL LANES Alternatives

Table 4-10: Opinions of Participants about Sign Alternatives Displaying LOCAL LANES

and NO-TOLL LANES

Alternative A: LOCAL LANES Freq. Alternative B: NO-TOLL LANES Freq.

Po

siti

ve

The phrase “NO TOLL” stands out. 12 The sign is easy to understand. 8

It is easier to compare line by line. 6 The information is displayed efficiently. 8

The sign is easy to understand. 5 The sign has less information to read. 5

The information is displayed

better. 1

The phrase “NO-TOLL LANES” is

easier to understand. 4

This sign is more attractive. 2

Neg

ativ

e

The name “LOCAL LANES” is

confusing. 7

“NO-TOLL LANES” is easy to miss. 1

This sign is more confusing. 1

Notes:



44



In general, both signs look similar; it is probably better to use “REGULAR LANES” in

Alternative A.

In Alternative A, the phrase “NO TOLL” is emphasized in white color and is easy to see.

That is all the information that matters; how it is named does not matter.

I think “LOCAL LANES” do not mean anything to the general users (i.e., drivers).

“NO-TOLL” is easy to understand for a majority of the drivers.

Despite the fact that I find the term LOCAL LANES a bit unclear; visually, the line-per-

line comparison displayed in Alternative A is clearer and easier to comprehend.

The phrase “LOCAL LANES” is ambiguous; it needs to be defined.

It just looks better with the phrase “NO TOLL” in Alternative A; however, “NO-TOLL

LANES” sounds better.

Alternative A conveys the information clearly. Why does Department of Transportation

have to explain?

4.8 Interpretation of High Toll Amount on Express Lanes Sign

As discussed previously, express lanes are exclusively separated from their adjacent general-

purpose lanes, and using them requires paying a toll for non-qualified vehicles such as single-

occupant vehicles. The toll charged is adjusted dynamically in real-time based on congestion on

the express lanes. When an express lane is congested, drivers are charged a high toll amount to

discourage more drivers from entering the facility. However, some drivers might misinterpret that

the high toll amount implies that the adjacent general-purpose lanes are congested, and hence,

there is a high demand for the express lanes. To test the participants’ understanding of high toll

amounts, the participants were presented the sign in Figure 4-14 and were given the following two

statements:

1. A high toll amount (e.g., $10.00) on the express lanes tells the drivers that the local lanes

are very congested, so there is a high demand for the express lanes.

2. A high toll amount (e.g., $10.00) on the express lanes tells the drivers that the express lanes

are very congested, so the toll amount is raised to discourage more drivers from using the

express lanes.

The participants were then asked to determine whether the statements are true or false. Figure 4-15

summarizes the results. Note that the first statement is false while the second statement is true.

Only 22.45% (11) of the participants correctly interpreted that a high toll amount implies that the

express lanes are very congested, and so the toll amount is raised to discourage more drivers from

using the express lanes.

45

Figure 4-14: High Toll Amount on the Express Lanes Sign

Figure 4-15: Participants’ Interpretation of a High Toll Amount on Express Lanes Sign

Next, the research team presented to the participants the sign in Figure 4-16, displaying

comparative travel times on the express lanes and general-purpose lanes in addition to the toll

amount on the express lanes. The sign states that the toll amount to reach SR 112 on the express

lanes is $10.00. It takes 21 minutes to reach SR 112 on the express lanes, while it takes 22 minutes

on the general-purpose lanes. From the comparative travel times, it is evident that the express lanes

are congested. As the participants were shown this sign, they were given the following two

statements:

1. The local lanes are very congested, so there is a high demand for the express lanes.

2. The express lanes are very congested, so the toll amount is raised to discourage more

drivers from using the express lanes.

22.45% 22.45%

77.55% 77.55%

0

20

40

60

80

100

A high toll amount on the Express Lanes tells

the drivers that the local lanes are very

congested, so there is a high demand for the

Express Lanes

A high toll amount on the Express Lanes tells

the drivers that the Express Lanes are very

congested, so the toll amount is raised to

discourage more drivers from using the Express

Lanes.

Par

tici

pan

ts (

%)

Correct Interpretation Wrong Interpretation

46

Figure 4-16: High Toll Amount with Additional Comparative Travel Times

A majority of the participants (73.5%, 36) correctly interpreted the information, saying that the

express lanes are very congested, so the toll amount is raised to discourage more drivers from

using the express lanes. On the other hand, 26.5% (13) of the participants misinterpreted the

information and thought that the local lanes (i.e., general-purpose lanes) are very congested, so

there is a high demand for the express lanes.

4.9 Summary

This chapter focused on assessing drivers’ understandings, preferences, and opinions toward the

guide signs upstream of express lanes. The following eight potential sign design alternatives were

evaluated using a focus group study:




4. Preference for travel time vs. average speed




lanes


47

CHAPTER 5

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS


provide a higher level of mobility for vehicles using the facilities. Guide signs in advance of

express lanes are especially crucial as drivers have to read these signs and then comprehend and

react to them accordingly while traveling at high speeds. These signs may convey information on

entry/exit points, toll amounts, vehicle and occupancy requirements, accessibility status

(e.g., OPEN or CLOSED), and operating agencies. In addition to this information, some agencies

also display travel times to the exit points to help drivers decide whether or not to use express

lanes. Some agencies have further considered displaying comparative travel times on express and

general-purpose (i.e., free) lanes. All of this information is in addition to standard directional and

informational signage and can quickly become overwhelming, especially for drivers who are

unfamiliar with a facility.

This report presented a study and its results on drivers’ feedback on different sign design

alternatives for potential use on express lane facilities. It documented a review of the current

standards in the MUTCD for express lanes signs and the use of signs on existing express lane

facilities from across the country. It further documented the results from a focus group study on

drivers’ understanding of, and preferences for, different sign design alternatives on express lane

facilities, with a special focus on signs near the entrance of express lane facilities, where signs are

the most critical, especially in helping drivers make their decisions on whether to use the express

lanes.

5.1 Existing Standards and Practice

The provisions of regulatory signs, guide signs, and tolling agency’s pictograph on express lanes

are provided in Chapter 2E: Toll Road Signs, and Chapter 2G: Preferential and Managed Lane

Signs of the MUTCD. As of 2016, 17 express lane facilities are present in 10 states, including

California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Minnesota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and

Washington. Based on the review of these 17 express lane facilities, researchers made the

following observations:

Many existing express lane signs have not been updated to meet the current MUTCD

standards for express lane signs.

The existing express lane signs vary across the different facilities not only in the types of

information they display, but also in color, size, layout, and number of sign panels used.

The express lane signs generally display information on toll amounts and accessibility

status such as “OPEN” or “CLOSED.”

The I-15 Express Lanes facility in San Diego, California, is the only facility where the

express lanes signs display travel time on express lanes in addition to toll amount.

None of the signs were found to display comparative travel times on express lanes vs.

general-purpose lanes.

48

5.2 Focus Group Study

The research team conducted a focus group study to assess drivers’ understandings, preferences,

and opinions toward the guide signs upstream of express lanes. A total of five focus groups

involving 49 participants of different age, gender, and ethnic groups were conducted. The

following eight potential sign design alternatives were evaluated:




4. Preference for travel time vs. average speed




lanes


The focus group participants were shown the sign alternatives using PowerPoint slides. The slides

primarily included the proposed signs and their alternatives, typical layouts, and digitally edited

photographs. For each scenario, a set of questions was asked to capture the participants’

understanding of the signs. Some of the key observations are discussed in the following

subsections.

5.2.1 Sign Legend Preference

Express lanes are usually open to all drivers who choose to pay a toll to use the facility. However,

a few vehicles qualify to ride for free on almost all express lane facilities. For example,

motorcycles and registered buses and car pools can use express lanes for free on 95 Express in

Miami-Dade County, Florida. Since toll-exempt vehicles vary by jurisdiction, displaying this

information is helpful for drivers. Two sign alternatives, one displaying toll-exempt vehicles using

words alone, and the other displaying the same information using words and symbols, were

provided to the participants. A slight majority (51%) of the participants preferred to have the

information on toll-exempt vehicles in both symbols and words. However, these results could be

biased toward the alternative that uses only words to display toll-exempt vehicles since this sign

is currently used on 95 Express in Miami-Dade County and participants are familiar with it.

5.2.2 Measures of Traffic Conditions on Express Lane Facility

Travel time and average speed are good measures of traffic conditions on a facility. However,

since these are rarely displayed on the signs, several participants misinterpreted this information.

If not explicitly stated, participants could misunderstand average speed to be the speed limit on the

express lanes. It is therefore recommended to educate drivers about these measures so that

confusion and misinterpretation are minimized. Furthermore, since the average speed information

could be misinterpreted as speed limit, it is recommended that average speeds that are not multiples

of five be used.

49

Since providing both travel time and average speed information on a sign results in information

overload, it is recommended to provide either one of the two performance measures. Participants

who preferred average speed argued that average speed has a fixed range that is independent of

distance. It should be clear to all drivers that a low average speed on an express lane facility implies

that the facility is congested, while a high average speed implies otherwise. On the other hand,

participants who preferred travel time information argued that this information will explicitly tell

them how much time it takes to reach the destination. However, travel time information might not

be useful for tourists and unfamiliar drivers as they might not know the actual travel time/distance

to the destination, and hence, cannot predict congestion.

5.2.3 Measures of Traffic Conditions on Express Lanes and General-purpose Lanes

The existing signs on express lanes provide the toll amount for using express lanes. However, in

addition to the toll amount, drivers may need information such as travel times along express lanes

and adjacent general-purpose lanes to better assess the benefit of paying extra to use the express

lanes. When the traffic conditions (i.e., travel time or average speed) on both express lanes and

general-purpose lanes are provided on a single sign, a majority of the participants stated that

comparative travel time information (and not comparative average speed information) helped them

decide whether or not to use the express lanes.

Almost all the participants considered the sign displaying comparative travel times on express

lanes and general-purpose lanes and the toll amount on the express lanes to be useful. However,

over half of the participants noted that the sign has too much information and preferred to display

this information (i.e., comparative travel times and toll amount) on two separate signs.

Nonetheless, a few participants preferred to see the same sign with all the information multiple

times, instead of two separate signs.

5.2.4 Interpretation of High Toll Amount on Express Lanes

Express lanes provide a higher level of mobility and reliability by maintaining a certain level of

traffic flow. Traffic volumes on express lanes are usually maintained by adjusting the toll amount.

When the facility is congested, drivers are charged a high toll amount to discourage more drivers

from entering the facility. Over 75% (38) of the focus group participants misinterpreted the high

toll amount on the express lanes, and thought that it indicated the local (i.e., general-purpose) lanes

are congested, and hence, there is a high demand for the express lanes.

Congestion on express lanes could be better assessed if information such as comparative travel

times on the express lanes and the general-purpose lanes are provided in addition to the toll

amount. However, 26.5% (13) of the participants misinterpreted the high toll amount on express

lanes even when comparative travel times were provided. Drivers, therefore, need to be educated

to minimize confusion and misinterpretation.

5.3 Conclusions

In summary, this study focused on determining the optimal amount and type of information to

display on guide signs upstream of express lanes. Based on the results from the focus group study,

50

it can be concluded that additional real-time information on traffic conditions on express lanes

help drivers decide if they want to use express lanes. Participants were receptive to the two real-

time performance measures, travel time and average speed. Although this additional information

is useful to drivers, care needs to be taken to not overload drivers with too much information. It is

imperative to consider the other existing signs and the fact that drivers need to comprehend this

information while driving at high speeds. As such, future research is needed to evaluate drivers’

comprehension and understanding of the new signs while driving at freeway speeds. Furthermore,

extensive education efforts need to be undertaken so that drivers correctly interpret information on

these new signs; otherwise, these signs fail to serve their intended purpose.

51

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Alameda County Transportation Commission. (2012). I-680 Sunol Express Lanes. Retrieved

December 5, 2016, from http://www.alamedactc.org/680Express.

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Collier, T., and Goodin, G. (2004). Managed Lanes: A Cross-Cutting Study (No. FHWA-HOP-

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Colorado Department of Transportation. (n.d.). North I-25 Express Lanes: Speer to US 36.

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and Highways (2009 Edition). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Transportation.

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2016, from http://595express.info/index.shtm.

Gan, A., Saha, D., Haleem, K., Alluri, P., and McCarthy, D. (2012). Best Practices in the Use of

Hybrid Static-Dynamic Signs (Final Report). Tallahassee, FL: Florida Department of

Transportation. Available at http://www.fdot.gov/research/completed_proj/summary_te/fdot-

bdk80-977-15-rpt.pdf.

https://expresslanes.com/using-the-lanes

http://www.95express.com/

http://www.alamedactc.org/680Express

http://knkx.org/post/gov-inslee-announces-i-405-express-lane-changes

http://511sd.com/fastrak511sd/I-15ExpLanes

http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/0-5446-3.pdf

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52

Harris County Toll Road Authority. (n.d.). Managed Lanes: Smart for Houston. Good for You.

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APPENDIX A:

PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET AND

STUDY QUESTIONNAIRE

54

Participant #: __________________

Participant Information

Research Staff: Eligibility Confirmed (valid U.S. driver’s license and 18+ years old)?

[ ] Yes, person is eligible

[ ] No, person is not eligible _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

City of Residence: __________________________________

Gender: [ ] Male [ ] Female

Age: _______ years

Were you born in the U.S.? [ ] Yes [ ] No

What is your race and ethnicity?

[ ] Mixed Race/Biracial/Multiracial (If you checked this selection, please check all

that apply, below)

[ ] Hispanic or Latino

[ ] White (not of Hispanic origin)

[ ] Black or African American

[ ] Native American or American Indian

[ ] Asian or Pacific Islander

[ ] Other, _________________________________

What is your highest level of education?

[ ] Less than high school

[ ] High school diploma/GED

[ ] Some college

[ ] College degree

[ ] Advanced college degree

How many years have you been driving in the U.S.? ________ years

How many miles do you drive per year? ____________miles (approximately)

What type of vehicle do you usually drive?

[ ] Passenger Cars

[ ] Pickup

[ ] Commercial Vehicle

[ ] Bus

[ ] Motorcycle

[ ] Others, please specify: ________________

55

Q1. How often do you use the I-95 Interstate Highway in Miami-Dade County?

[ ] Never

[ ] Occasionally

[ ] Regularly

Q2. How often do you use the I-95 Express Lanes?

[ ] Never

[ ] Occasionally

[ ] Regularly

Q3. Please list any other Express Lanes you have used.

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Q4. What does “SunPass ONLY” mean?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q5. Who can use the Express Lanes for FREE?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q6. What does “3+” on the car logo mean?

[ ] Carpool with at least 3 persons

[ ] Carpool with more than 3 persons

Q7. Which alternative do you prefer? Why?

[ ] Alternative “A” with words only

[ ] Alternative “B” with words and symbols

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

56

Q8. What is “MINS”?

________________________________________________________________________

Q9. What does “10 MINS” tell you?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q10. How useful is this additional information in helping you decide whether or not to use the

Express Lanes?

[ ] Very useful

[ ] Useful

[ ] Somewhat useful

[ ] Not useful


[ ] Alternative “A”

[ ] Alternative “B”

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q12. What is the travel time to I-595?

[ ] 24 minutes

[ ] 9+24 = 33 minutes

Q13. What is the toll amount to I-595?

[ ] $2.50

[ ] $1.00 + $2.50 = $3.50

Q14. Do you feel that this sign has too much information?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

Q15. What is “MPH”?

________________________________________________________________________

57

Q16. What does “55 MPH” indicate?

[ ] The speed limit on the Express Lanes is 55 MPH

[ ] My driving speed is 55 MPH

[ ] The average speed on the Express Lanes is 55 MPH

Q17. What does “47 MPH” indicate?

[ ] The speed limit on the Express Lanes is 47 MPH

[ ] My driving speed is 47 MPH

[ ] The average speed on the Express Lanes is 47 MPH




[ ] Alternative “C”

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q19. Which alternative makes it easier for you to understand the level of congestion on the

Express Lanes? Why?

[ ] Alternative “A” with travel time

[ ] Alternative “B” with average speed

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Which alternative makes it easier for you to understand the level of congestion on the

Express Lanes? Why?



Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

58




Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q22. Which alternative makes it easier for you to decide whether or not to use the Express

Lanes? Why?



Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q23. How useful are the comparative travel times in helping you decide whether or not to use

the Express Lanes?

[ ] Very useful

[ ] Useful

[ ] Somewhat useful

[ ] Not useful

Q24. Do you feel that this sign has too much information?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No


[ ] Alternative “A” with all information displayed on one sign

[ ] Alternative “B” with information displayed on two separate signs

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

59

Q26. If two separate signs are used, in which order should they be displayed? Why?

[ ] Alternative “A” with toll amount first

[ ] Alternative “B” with travel time first

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________


[ ] Alternative “A” with “LOCAL LANES”

[ ] Alternative “B” with “NO-TOLL LANES”

Reason:_________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Q28. A high toll amount (e.g., $10.00) on the Express Lanes tells the drivers that the local lanes

are very congested, so there is a high demand for the Express Lanes.

[ ] True

[ ] False

Q29. A high toll amount (e.g., $10.00) on the Express Lanes tells the drivers that the Express

Lanes are very congested, so the toll amount is raised to discourage more drivers from

using the Express Lanes.

[ ] True

[ ] False

Q30. With the additional comparative travel times, what does the high toll amount tell the

drivers?

[ ] The local lanes are very congested, so there is a high demand for the Express

Lanes.

[ ] The Express Lanes are very congested, so the toll amount is raised to discourage

more drivers from using the Express Lanes.

Thank you for your participation!

Please turn in your completed handouts.

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APPENDIX B:

POWERPOINT PRESENTATION SLIDES

FOR THE FOCUS GROUP STUDY

Evaluation of Signage Alternatives for Express Lane Facilities · The provisions of regulatory...

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